Maria Pietralba

The largest pilgrimage site in South Tyrol

Surrounded by green meadows and dark spruce forests the pilgrimage site Madonna di Pietralba is situated at an altitude of 1,520 m.

History of Madonna di PietralbaThe history of this pilgrimage site begins in 1533 with the discovery by farmer Leonhard Weißensteiner of an alabaster pietà. The construction of the pilgrimage church started in 1638. The church was consecrated in 1673, the monastery was built in 1722. The place, which originally was a place for Confession and only infrequently visited by priests, was taken over by the Servites in Innsbruck in 1718. In 1787 the pilgrimage site was dissolved by Emperor Joseph II. The pietà was moved to Laives, the Servites were removed, and all property and treasures sold. The church was deconsecrated and served as a barn and storage room for wood and other items. In 1836 the pilgrimage site was purchased back by the Servite Order in Innsbruck, partly on request by the many pilgrims, and the place became a pilgrimage site once more, a place of prayer and an oasis of silence. In the time of fascism the German monks were replaced by Italian ones and the pilgrimage site was given to the Servite Order in Vicenza, which still looks after it now. High points of the story of this South Tyrolean pilgrimage site were the elevation of the place of pilgrimage to a basilica minor in 1985 and the visit by Pope John Paul II on 17 July 1988. Today Pietralba is still a popular destination for pilgrims walking the pilgrimage routes from Aldino, Monte San Pietro, Nova Ponente or Laives.

The churchInside the church is a magnificent Baroque altar with a copy of the pietà, and in the far section is the chapel that was built on the spot where the pietà was discovered. The paintings are by Adam v. Mölk from Vienna, those in the side chapel by Alfons Siber.

The Dolomites are THE symbol of South Tyrol and since 2009 have been Unesco World Heritage. The majestic mountains of fossilised algae and coral reefs grew over a period of 250 million years in the ...

Get to know the whole universe in San Valentino in Campo. In the planetarium modern technology whisks you to the heart of cosmic events. You journey to Mars and pass the sun. The high resolution is ...

Lago di Caldaro is situated South of Caldaro, at the foot of Castelchiaro and surrounded by vineyards. The lake is approx. 2 km long and 1 km wide. It is one of the largest lakes in South Tyrol and ...

The South Tyrolean capital of Bolzano presents a rich cultural offer. In the summer numerous cultural events invite visitors. Among the museums the archaeology museum with the ice mummy, MMM Firmiano ...

Castelfeder arises between Montagna and Ora. Castelfeder is a prehistoric and Roman as well as early Medieval settlement characterised by the remnants of several structures and buildings on a large ...

The Latemarium at the foot of Latemar is an adventure for young and not so young visitors. LATEMAR.360 is a platform with a sensational 360 degree view. LATEMAR.UNESCO is a 5-6 hour mountain hike to ...

Catinaccio and Latemar are the names of the mountain range and of two impressive mountains. Catinaccio Catinaccio, a series of peaks, stretches over approx. eight kilometres. With 3,004 m Catinaccio ...

The holiday villages in the southeastern Dolomites are close to Val di Fiemme, Trentino. An excursion into the neighbouring province is therefore highly recommended. Cavalese Cavalese is the economic ...

We use cookies to ensure you receive the best user experience on our website. By continuing to browse our website, you consent to the use of cookies. Click here to find out more on how you may change your settings. accept